Miami Marlins Reach Extension With Ichiro On One-Year, $2 Million Contract – Hardball Scoop – Scout

Ichiro Suzuki inks a one-year, $2 million deal with the Miami Marlins, as he intends to record his 3,000th career hit with the club.

The Miami Marlins and Ichiro Suzuki have reached an agreement on a one-year, $2 million contract that will keep the veteran outfielder in a Marlins uniform as @Joe Frisaro of MLB.com and Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald initially reported. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com also reported that the deal includes an option for the 2017 season that would also be worth $2 million. Ichiro’s 2016 and potential 2017 salaries are identical to that of his first season in Miami.

Ichiro’s stats were very impressive for a 41-year-old in his first season with the Marlins.nWhile Ichiro is no longer elite at his craft of hitting, he can still be very productive for his age. Ichiro hit .229/.282/.279 with 21 RBI’s and 11 SB’s. Ichiro is 65 hits away from reaching the milestone of 3,000 and the Marlins are unlikely to be a contender next season. Those two factors have likely contributed towards the reunion.

Ichiro should be able to rack up his 3,000th hit during the 2016 season, but he must be given enough playing time to achieve it. The veteran had 438 plate appearances in 2015. He would require a significant amount of playing time similar to that of 2015 to be likely to reach that mark next season.

With Christian Yelich in left field and Giancarlo Stanton back in full force to play right field and either Marcell Ozuna or whoever replaces him if they trade him in center, the amount of playing time for Ichiro could be limited. The Marlins will without a doubt have to get crafty if they want him to get his 3,000th hit during the 2016 season, with no guarantee he returns for the 2017 season.

via Miami Marlins Reach Extension With Ichiro On One-Year, $2 Million Contract – Hardball Scoop – Scout.